Art & Life with Samiha Shamseddine

Samiha, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Ever since I was a child, I was always creating. I remember once taking the sticks and twigs in my front yard and breaking them into specific sizes and making a little wooden log home in the dirt at age six for ants. My mom gave me my first art history textbook from when she was in college when I was eight and after that, I never stopped making things. Everywhere I went was inspiring. I would see something i liked and would think “I wonder if I could make that” so I’d go home and I’d try and the outcome was always something so much more than I expected. At 18, I went to college for fashion design and photography and at 25, I started making intricate beaded jewelry in my spare time. I started working with metal may 2014 and in July of 2017, I quit my full-time job and took the risk of pursuing Misomia full time! My jewelry is my way of expressing myself. I like to experiment using and casting organic items. I’m self-taught from a small corner in an old small apartment that eventually turned into a garage under a house, spare room and now a full-blown workshop in the front of my forever home! I love manipulating metals and using rare hand cut stones! I love playing with fire! And have an obsession with tools. I also love helping others out with tips and tricks and advice on anything that can push anyone in the right direction of also pursuing their dreams!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a silversmith who is very experimental. I love stretching my limits and challenging myself in any way I can. I cast hand-carved wax pieces and use organic materials i.e sticks and succulents as well as completely fabricating each piece from the ground up. I have a propane and oxygen jewelers torch that is basically my right hand and a full-blown workshop filled to the brim with every tool a jeweler could dream of! I recently bit the bullet and got a second bench set up, so I can start doing lessons! My inspiration is everything and anything. I usually play some type of sci-fi movie or show while working so a lot of my designs tend to lean on a more galactic style. My middle eastern background also combines a very cultured feel and I love the traditional native style as well. I love making little vials or boxes with tiny little hinges and even have made a few sterling silver pocket knifes. In the end, I hope people who purchase my pieces take away the love that goes into each piece and know that this is how I express my emotions in my art. I tend to make very meaningful pieces and have received so many positive messages and appreciation for using my art to stand up for what I believe in!

In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Most of the time we are the only person trying to do everything. We make the pieces, take the photos, post the photos, respond to message and emails, vend at markets and also have to run an actual business. Sometimes people are very patient with us but sometimes people treat us like we are a big corporation demanding a refund even if they are satisfied with the piece because maybe it took a week or two longer than expected and it stressed them out. As an artist with no business background, it’s still a learning process. Some days are easier than others, but some days are trying especially when people think there is an army when really it’s only you. But I wouldn’t trade any of it! We just have to be humbled and know we cannot make everyone happy and once that’s figured out then you will realize you make more people happy than not! And the people who truly appreciate handmade items are very loyal and have a special place in my heart.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Instagram is the biggest way people can support my work. Follow @Misomia and liking and commenting on photos really helps this one woman small business show up on other people’s feed. I also have a website with an email sign up! I have some of my pieces at local shops here in St Pete and I vend at several markets all over! I always announce when and where I’ll be set up on my instagram stories! I also make tutorial style videos to help any other metal workers on my instagram and love sharing while I work so people can get a better idea of what goes in to each piece!